Dion Dublin was booed and told he’ll need ‘security’ during an eventful FA Cup third-round draw on Monday night.
Clubs up and down the country were finding out their fate for the next round of the FA Cup and Dublin was tasked with drawing the away sides for the third round.
But Dublin came under a bit of heat for his role in the draw, which started when he pulled out former club and reigning champions Manchester United away to Manchester United.
BBC Sport anchor Kelly Somers picked up on Dublin’s misfortune, asking the former professional: “Dion, I’ve got to ask you a question because I don’t think you were enjoying that draw too much, because you pulled out a few of your former clubs and didn’t give them the best ties.”
Dublin replied: “It just happens. Before myself and Mark [Hughes] came out to do the draw, we said ‘they’ll be one huge one [tie]’…
“It’s a massive game and it’s in the balance. And I’m really pleased for the lads they’ve got great draws.”
He continued: “I’ll tiptoe out of here… I think that might be a TV game, what do you think?
“They’re the type of games we need in the FA Cup. The FA Cup is a huge cup, we all love it. It’s had a bit of a dip, now it’s back.”
Sommers was quick to point out Dublin also pulled out Accrington Stanley to play United’s rivals Liverpool, to which he replied: “Having been at the lower end of the footballing spectrum, I know what it’s like for clubs of this size. Financially it’s great and the day out is amazing, for the fans, not just the players and the clubs.”
Wrapping up her segment, Sommers asked the United fans packed into an executive box at Old Trafford if they were happy with the draw, to which they responded with boos and jeers.
Jokingly touching on the tension inside the room, Sommers added: “Dion I’m going to sort you out some security.”
Unsurprisingly, social media was filled with reaction to Dublin’s antics, with @samsedd0n posting on X: “Dion Dublin masterclass with this FA Cup draw.”
@DalaiPalmerMCR added: “No way Mark Sparky Hughes and Dion Dublin will be invited back to do another draw… [three laughing emojis].”
Full FA Cup third-round draw:
Southampton v Swansea City
Exeter City v Oxford United
Leyton Orient v Derby County
Reading v Burnley
Aston Villa v West Ham
Norwich City v Brighton & Hove Albion
Manchester City v Salford
Millwall v Dagenham & Redbrige
Liverpool v Accrington Stanley
Bristol City v Wolverhampton Wanderers
Preston North End v Charlton Athletic
Chelsea v Morecambe
Middlesbrough v Blackburn Rovers
Bournemouth v West Bromwich Albion
Mansfield Town v Wigan Athletic
Tamworth v Tottenham
Hull City v Doncaster Rovers
Sunderland v Stoke City
Leicester City v Queens Park Rangers
Brentford v Plymouth Argyle
Coventry City v Sheffield Wednesday
Newcastle United v Bromley
Everton v Peterborough United
Wycombe Wanderers v Portsmouth
Birmingham City v Lincoln City
Leeds United v Harrogate Town
Nottingham Forest v Luton Town
Sheffield United v Cardiff City
Ipswich Town v Bristol Rovers
Fulham v Watford
Crystal Palace v Stockport County
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